Lagos Government seals Proposed Cemetery site in Surulere after residents’ protest

The Lagos State Government has sealed a construction site intended for a proposed cemetery in Bode Thomas, Surulere, following strong protests from residents of the Natufe/Animashaun community, who raised environmental and health concerns over the project.

Residents Protest Amid Rainfall

Despite heavy rainfall on Saturday morning, residents staged a peaceful demonstration at the site, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “No Cemetery in Our Community.”

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The protesters alleged that the developer, Mr. Olumide Amure, ignored earlier objections from the community and resumed construction without due regard for public safety.

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The site, a large expanse of land surrounded by homes, a church, and a school, has been the subject of tension for several months.

“We are not using pipe-borne water; our boreholes are our only source. This project will contaminate it,” said Mrs. Omolabake Braimoh, Chairperson of the Natufe/Animashaun Community Development Association (CDA).

“The developer tried it before, and we opposed it. Now he has resumed work, building day and night. We heard he wants to create two cemeteries, one for adults here and another for children nearby.”

Government Takes Action

Reacting to the situation, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, confirmed that the state government had taken decisive action to halt the project.

“The burial ground site has been sealed, and no such project will be developed there. The people need not worry,” Omotoso said in a statement on Saturday.

Community Leaders Welcome Intervention

Former CDA chairman Mr. Olanrewaju Olaniyan recalled that the same developer was previously stopped after community petitions reached the state government.

“During my tenure, this same developer was stopped after we took the matter from the local government to the state level. We have all the documents. I don’t believe Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu would approve such a project,” Olaniyan said.

He warned that allowing a cemetery within a densely populated residential zone would pose serious health hazards.

“Once burials begin here, the groundwater will be polluted, and that will affect everyone. This is not development; it’s an invitation to disaster,” he added.

Developer Yet to Respond

When contacted, Mr. Amure said he would respond later but had yet to issue an official statement as of press time.

Meanwhile, government officials confirmed that the site will remain sealed pending further investigation, reiterating that no cemetery will be permitted within the residential area.